Authentic Vietnam

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, which includes: the Mausoleum (exterior only, closed on Mondays and Fridays), the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s house on stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda, built of wood in 1049, which rests on a single pillar and represents the purity of the lotus flower. The first day’s tour continues with a visit to West Lake – the largest natural lake in the city – and the Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Unmissable is the Temple of Literature, the ancient university built in 1070 in honor of Confucius to pay tribute to scholars and literati.

In the afternoon, you will take a walk towards O Quan Chuong – one of the ancient entrance gates to the city of Hanoi – and then reach the lively Dong Xuan Market, the largest indoor market in the capital. Along its perimeter, dozens of street vendors offer a wide variety of products: from fresh seafood to the most exotic tropical fruits.

Our guide will provide interesting information about the history of typical Northern Vietnamese dishes, explaining the art of combining ingredients according to the Yin & Yang balance, and the influence of Chinese and French cuisines on local gastronomy.

Walking through the numerous streets with the name “Hang” – each linked to an ancient trade – the guide will tell you the history of each street before letting you taste authentic specialties such as:

• Trứng vịt lộn (fertilized egg)
• French-inspired snacks sold from carts
• The famous Hanoi pancake: Bánh cuốn

During the tour, you can savor the dishes while listening to the guide’s recipes and small secrets of Vietnamese street food.

We will continue with a tasting of Pho, the symbolic dish of Hanoi, and conclude the gastronomic part with traditional desserts called “Che”, such as:

• Chè Bà Cốt
• Chè Hoa Cau

Finally, we will accompany you to one of the hidden cafes with a splendid view of Hoan Kiem Lake. Here you can enjoy two local specialties: the famous egg coffee. Alternatively, you can replace the egg coffee with an ice-cold craft beer on Ta Hien Street, one of the liveliest streets in the historic center, to enjoy an ice-cold craft beer in an authentically local atmosphere, surrounded by lights, music, and locals.

Free dinner and transfer to the station to take the train to Sapa.

Overnight stay on the night train to Sapa.

Arrival at Lao Cai station around 06:00 AM – 06:30 AM.

Welcome by the local English-speaking guide (Supplement for an Italian-speaking guide). Breakfast in a local restaurant.

Departure for the mountainous areas in Lao Cai province; during the journey, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of mountains, rivers, and lakes. The Lao Cai region is well known for its vibrant and colorful weekly markets, surrounded by an enchanting landscape of wild nature. The markets are not only for the exchange of goods but also serve as an epicenter for cultural encounters between the different ethnic groups living in harmony in this region. It will be possible to visit a colorful ethnic market that takes place once a week (Alternatives: Coc Ly market – Tuesday, Sin Cheng market – Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin market – Thursday, Lung Phinh market – Friday, Can Cau market – Saturday, Bac Ha market – Sunday). You can browse through the market and see the products sold such as vegetables, poultry, horses, and buffaloes. Your attention will surely be captured not only by the liveliness of the market but also by the many minority groups in their most colorful traditional clothing.

After visiting the market, you will take a short walk through some small ethnic villages interspersed with cornfields, cassava hills, clay houses, and plum gardens.

Free lunch in a local restaurant.

Finally, we will head towards Sapa. Return to Sapa. Free time in Sapa.

Free dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Sapa / lodge in the village (4–5 km from the center of Sapa).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

During the journey, you will cross the Muong Hoa River, traveling along small dirt roads that wind uphill and downhill to reach the village of Lao Chai, inhabited by the Black Hmong. Along the way, you can admire the spectacular panorama formed by colorful terraced rice fields, with the opportunity to visit some families of the ethnic groups living here. You will cross rice fields and small rivers to head towards the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Zday ethnic group. Descending back towards the Muong Hoa River and crossing a small suspension bridge, you can admire a site with rock carvings. From this point, you can choose between a quick ascent toward Sapa or the road that continues toward the Hmong and Dao villages located further south.

Return to Sapa in the afternoon and free time for shopping.

Free lunch in a local restaurant.

Shared Limousine Sapa – Hanoi (approx. 6 hours). Supplement for a private car available upon request.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Sapa is situated in a splendid valley near the Chinese border and is called the “queen of the mountains.” It is magnificently perched at a panoramic point overlooking a stunning valley, surrounded by high peaks that tower above the city on all sides. This is the ultimate destination in northwestern Vietnam, a gateway to another world of mysterious ethnic cultures and enchanting landscapes. The spectacular scenery surrounding Sapa includes cascading rice terraces that spread across the mountains like a multicolored quilt.

Departure for Halong by the cruise company’s bus/private car.

A fascinating and majestic place: words alone cannot do justice to this natural wonder that is Halong Bay. The bay is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. It features thousands of limestone sea stacks and islets, making it a very picturesque location that attracts thousands of travelers from all over the world every year.

The journey to Halong takes about 4 hours and includes a short stop.

Arrival in Halong at approximately noon; boarding and check-in on a boat for the bay cruise.

Follow the cruise program.

Meals on board based on seafood.

Overnight stay on board the same junk in a private cabin (with air conditioning and shower).

Notes:

• Lunch and dinner with seafood tasting on board the junk (included – drinks not included).
• Overnight on board in a private deluxe cabin (with AC and shower).
• The cruise program may vary without prior notice based on weather conditions or decisions by local authorities.
• Only one English-speaking guide provided by the cruise company is present on the junk.

Bai Tu Long Bay is a place where nature still reigns supreme and tourism is experienced slowly and with respect. Often overshadowed by the famous and crowded Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long offers equally spectacular landscapes but with much more tranquility and authenticity.

Breakfast on the deck of the junk, where you can admire the splendid bay at sunrise while sipping your coffee.

Spend the morning relaxing on the cruise amidst the magical landscapes of Halong Bay.

Brunch on board.

Disembarkation and return to Hanoi.

Transfer by our vehicles to Hanoi airport for the flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue, welcome without a guide, and transfer to the hotel.

Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Along the quiet banks of the Huong River (the Perfume River), the city of Hue, in central Vietnam, offers travelers the relaxed and romantic atmosphere of a place out of time. The most romantic city in Vietnam—a title recognized by travelers with a poetic soul. The city with the best cuisine in the entire country, according to those who have dined in the many restaurants lining the Perfume River.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

The day begins with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. It is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagonal tower and splendid view of the Perfume River. Continue with a boat trip along the Huong River (Perfume River). Then, take a boat along the Huong River to the village of Thuy Bieu, admiring the picturesque landscapes on both sides. After 1 hour, arrive in Thuy Bieu, known for its divine grapefruit trees, where you can take a bike ride around the village in the shade of the pomelo trees and enjoy their pleasant aroma and the gathered straw. A peaceful atmosphere is in every corner of the village. Next, visit a temple dedicated to the village protector and a traditional garden house built several centuries ago. This is a wonderful opportunity to stop for beautiful photos and interact with the villagers working in the gardens and cultivated fields—not to be missed. Join a cooking class featuring selected Hue specialties, then have lunch in the village and return to the city in the afternoon.

The next stop is the Hue Citadel, the most famous vestige of what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is composed of three distinct parts: the capital city, the imperial city, and the forbidden city: Kinh Thanh (the capital), Hoang Thanh (the imperial city), and Cam Thanh (the forbidden city).

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, the most representative monument of Nguyen dynasty architecture and also one of the most marvelous constructions of the 19th century.

At the end of the visits, return to the hotel.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

Departure for Hoi An, with a stop at the Lang Co fishing village and the Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass).

Arrival in Hoi An; the rest of the day is dedicated to visiting the city of lanterns.

The first stop is Cam Pho – one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built following traditional Chinese architecture, a building that serves as a center for worship, trade exchange, and negotiations, as well as cultural exchange between locals and Chinese and Japanese merchants. Take a short walk to the symbol of the city of Hoi An – the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow access to the Japanese quarter from the Chinese quarters. Continue toward the ancient house of Quan Thang – one of the most authentic ancient houses in Hoi An; the lively and refined architecture and sculptures were created by craftsmen from the famous Kim Bong carpentry village in Oriental style. The house offers a glimpse into the daily life of a Hoi An family. Conclude the day at the Phuc Kien or Fujian Assembly Hall, built in the 17th century as a meeting place for residents, merchants, and visitors from a specific area of China called Fujian.

Free lunch in a local restaurant during the visits.

Check-in at the hotel.

Free dinner in a local restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

Transfer to Cam Thanh village where you will take a bike ride and a basket boat trip to the Bay Mau nipa palm forest. Located in Cam Thanh village, just 7 km from the city center, this forest is an unmissable destination for anyone wanting to explore the natural beauty of Vietnam. The name “Bay Mau” comes from the fact that this coconut forest originally had an area of only seven acres.

Afterward, transfer to Tra Que village, located about 3 km from the city center, to discover rural life in an organic horticultural village with over 300 years of history.

Upon arrival at a local family’s home, you will have the opportunity to freshen up and relax before starting the cooking class. Together with our Family Chef, you will learn traditional Vietnamese cooking methods passed down through generations. You will prepare some of the most iconic dishes of the Vietnamese culinary tradition, which you will then enjoy together during a convivial lunch.

Lunch included at the family restaurant.

The day concludes with a traditional lantern-making course, a fascinating activity that will take you to the heart of Vietnamese craftsmanship. Guided by local experts, you will learn to make a colorful lantern with your own hands—a symbol of luck and harmony—to take home as a special souvenir of your trip.

Return to the hotel.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

“The most beautiful country in the world” might seem like an ambitious statement, at least until you have set foot in the stunning countryside of Hoi An and the village of Tra Que.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon).

Upon arrival in Saigon, welcome by the guide and transfer to the hotel.

Free time for your first discovery of the city (guide, transfer, and tickets not included).

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Ancient Saigon, at the end of the civil war, took the name of the political leader of the winning side, North Vietnam. Today, it represents the beating heart of Vietnam, as well as its largest city, reflecting its essence through a unique fusion of indigenous culture and deep French and Chinese influences, which are noticeable at first glance in its architecture.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Afterward, you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located about 30 km from Saigon, Cu Chi is the district that was most devastated during the war—deforested, razed to the ground, bombed, and poisoned with all possible chemical agents, including Agent Orange. In the 1940s, to escape mandatory conscription and French attacks, and to maintain contact between villages, they began digging underground tunnels. In the 1960s, the Viet Cong extended the underground network to more than 250 km, at which point it became legendary during the American war. The network extended in different layers, up to 5-6 meters deep, containing dormitories, kitchens, schools, hospitals, and weapons factories; below that was the guerrilla level, with tunnels often equipped with traps in case adversaries managed to penetrate. During the excursion, you will visit a large section of the tunnels to experience the sensations of underground life. Cu Chi is an excellent example of the spirit, strength, and determination of the Vietnamese people for peace and freedom.

Return to Saigon, free lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the city of Saigon: the Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Chinatown district with the Thien Hau Pagoda, and the War Remnants Museum.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning journey toward Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta, famous for the production of coconut candy. Arrival at the Phong Nam Bridge for a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover local daily life. Stop at a kiln to observe traditional brick making. Along the canal, you will visit one of the many coconut processing workshops where you can taste fresh coconut and see how every single part of this fruit is transformed into its derivative products. Continue your boat trip along a canal to the village of Nhon Thanh. This will be an opportunity to taste fresh fruit. Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy the view of coconut trees, rice fields, and vegetable gardens.

Free lunch in a small local restaurant (not included).

A short walk will help you discover local life more closely. This is followed by a boat trip on a small canal shaded by wild palms.

Transfer to Cho Lach, check-in at Jardin du Mekong, and a short rest before visiting the village on foot. You will visit the orchard, go fishing, or pick vegetables for the cooking lesson. To conclude the day, you will have the chance to cook and eat the famous “Rice Pancake” with your host.

Dinner included and overnight stay at the homestay.

Breakfast at the homestay.

Start the day with a bike ride to visit the “Cho Lach” Market (depending on weather conditions and fitness levels, you can ride for 3 km, 6 km, or 8 km).

You will be able to see more of the local life, fruit gardens, the school, and more.

Return to Jardin du Mekong.

Check-out and transfer directly to Can Tho.

Free time to discover the homestay or the surrounding villages (on foot or by bicycle).

Free dinner and accommodation at a homestay.

Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong Delta, a land where water, land, and daily life intertwine in a unique and fascinating rhythm. Located on the banks of the Hau River, Can Tho is famous for its floating markets, warm local hospitality, and breathtaking rural scenery.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will wake up to the sounds of the Mekong River!

You will begin the day with a boat trip to reach the Cai Rang floating market – the largest and most vibrant in the Mekong Delta. Here you can observe the sampans laden with goods such as rice, fruit, and handcrafted products, which merchants transport at dawn to sell in the floating market.

After the visit to the market, you will stop at a local family that has been handmade producing traditional “hủ tiếu” – typical Vietnamese noodles – for three generations. Thanks to their guidance, you can discover and try the preparation stages firsthand. You will then visit a fruit garden. Finally, you will make a stop at the charming Bình Thủy ancient house, surrounded by an orchid garden, where some scenes from the film “The Lover” were filmed.

NOTE: The Cai Rang market is at its best from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time until the transfer (without guide) to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Italy. We wish you a pleasant journey home!!!

NOTE: International flights require being at the airport 3 hours before, and domestic flights 2 hours before the departure time.

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